Flexible rod pusher tool



July 7, 1964 c. A. TRUMAN FLEXIBLE ROD PUSHER TOOL Filed Jan. 29, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. ghesfer A Truman %6% fl v ATTYS.

CL A. TRUMAN FLEXIBLE ROD PUSHER TOOL July 7, 1964. 3,140,017

Filed Jan. 29, 1962 3 Shee ts-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

C besTer ATrumon ATTYS.

July.7, 1964 c. A. TRUMAN FLEXIBLE ROD PUSHER TOOL Filed Jan. 29, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

ATTYS.

United States Patent ce 3,140,077 FLEXIBLE ROD PUSHER TOOL Chester A. Truman, W. 2528 Garland Ave., Spokane, Wash. Filed Jan. 29, 1962, Ser. No. 169,256 3 Claims. (Cl. 254-1343) This invention relates to a novel pusher tool for use in conjunction with flexible rod sewer cleaning systems.

It is a common practice to utilize connected lengths of flexible rods to operate underground cleaning tools in sewer pipes. These flexible rods are often connected in lengths of three or four hundred feet and are rotated by auxiliary units positioned above ground. In many instal' lations, the portable units used to operate the sewer tools require manual pushing of the rods and the tools operated thereby. This pushing action is currently carried out directly above the manhole through which the flexible rods are inserted into the underground pipe. This operation involves danger to the persons using the equipment due to the rotative action of the rods and the whiplash effect caused by stoppage of the tool when encountering a pipe obstruction. The present invention contemplates a pusher tool that may be used within the narrow confines of a guide pipe to thereby provide a safe and effective pushing element for the flexible rods.

It is a first object of this invention to provide a pusher tube which is operative within the very close limits of a guide pipe and which does not rely upon engagement of the flexible rods or their associated couplingsoutside the pipe itself. No manual engagement of moving parts is contemplated.

It is a second object of this invention to provide such a tool which is very simple in construction and which is capable of relatively rough usage without danger of breakdown.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple tool which may be passed about a coupling in a single direction so as to allow the pusher tool to: be progressed from one coupling to its successor along the length of the flexible rod.

These and further objects will be evident from a study of the following description which is to be studied in con junction with the accompanying drawings. This disclo sure relates to three separate embodiments of the invention which are presented as examples of the basic concepts contained therein. The invention itself is defined in the claims which follow.

In the drawings, FIGURE 1 is a sectional view taken through a manhole showing the invention as used, with a portion of the supporting pipe being broken away;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view through the longitudinal center of the first embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is an end view of the device as it would be seen from the left in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view through the longitudinal center of the device as it is used in actual practice;

FIGURE 5 is a side view of the device shown in FIG- URE 2 with a coupling positioned as illustrated in FIG- URE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view as seen along line 66 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along line 77 in FIGURE 5 as this device would be seen in a pipe;

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 illustrating a second form of the invention;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken along line 99 in FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is an end View taken from the left hand end of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken through the center Bldflfifi Patented July 7, 1964 of a pipe showing a third form of the invention in use; and

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view taken along line 1212 in FIGURE 11.

The present invention is concerned with the type of sewer cleaning apparatus normally used in smaller communities. This apparatus consists of a portable driving unit (not shown) which rotates a length of flexible rod connected to a sewer-cleaning tool. The general apparatus by which this procedure is accomplished is illustrated in FIGURE 1. A reinforced manhole 10 is shown with a portable guide pipe 11 mounted in place by a supporting member 13. The pipe 11 is mounted in communication with an underground sewer pipe 12. A series of flexible rods 14 extend through the pipe 11 and into the underground pipe 12. The flexible rods 14 are connected by suitable couplings 15. An example of such a coupling 15 is fully described in my co-pending application for Letters Patent, Serial No. 120,978, filed June 30, 1961 for Coupler for Sewer Rods and the Like. Such couplings 15 are widely used in current practice and no further description of their specific structure is believed to be necessary. The outer end of the rod 14 is provided with a suitable tool 16 for performing the desired cleaning operation in the pipe 12.

In actual practice the rods 14 and the associated couplings 15 are rotated by a small gasoline engine mounted above the ground level. The rods 14 must be fed through the pipes 11 and 12 by manual means, using available tools. The danger involved in pushing the rods 14 at the upper end of pipe 11 is evident from the very nature of the rods, which are subject to breakage and whiplash. Often the total length of rods 14 amounts to three or four hundred feet. The possible danger due to breakage and unwinding of the rods is always present when a man is stationed at the end of pipe 11 to feed the rods 14. At the present, no tool is available when can work within the pipe 11 to push the couplings 15.

The first form of this pusher tool is illustrated in FIG- URES 2 through 7. The device includes a solid collar 17 which has a cylindrical outer shape. The outside diameter of collar 17 is preferably slightly less than the inside diameter of the pipe 11. Thus the collar 17 is free to move longitudinally within the confines of pipe 11. The inner surface of collar 17 is provided with an annular sloped shoulder 18 which is located adjacent one end of the collar 17 and which slopes inwardly. The minimum interior diameter of collar 17 is shown at 20 and is located at the base of the shoulder 18. This minimum interior diameter 20 must be slightly greater than the maximum exterior diameter of the couplings 15 which are to be pushed by the tool. The collar 17 is provided with an integral extension 21 along one side of the collar. Extension 21 is arcuate in shape and extends longitudinally in alignment with the collar 17 Extension 21 has secured thereto a handle 22 of a length suitable to facilitate outside manipulation of the collar 17. The length of handle 22 should therefore be longer than the length of the individual rods 14.

The collar 17 can be manually reciprocated within the pipe 11 and is capable of passing individual couplings 15. In order to push the couplings 15, it is necessary that the collar 17 be allowed to pass the couplings 15 in only one direction (as it is pulled upward) and that the collar 17 be prevented from passing the couplings 15 in the opposite direction (as it is pushed downward). This is accomplished in the first embodiment by utilization of four segmental jaws 23. Each jaw 23 is an arcuate segment and has an inwardly directed portion 24 which abuts the previously described shoulder 18. The opposite end of each jaw 23 is designated at 25 and is abutted by a compression spring 26 held in place by washer 27 and lock ring 28. The lock ring 28 is secured within a groove 38 formed within the collar 17. The segmental jaws 23 have a total minimum diameter which is less than the exterior diameter of the couplings 15. This relationship can best be seen in FIGURE 2. Thus when a coupling 15 is being pushed by the collar 17 in the direction illustrated by arrow 32 in FIGURE 2, the jaws 23 will prevent relative movement of collar 17 and coupling 15. However, after the coupling 15 l1as been pushed the desired length by use of the handle 22 and it is necessary for the operator to move to the next coupling 15, he may pull upwardly on the handle 22 and cause the collar 17 to pass about the coupling 15 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 4. This will occur when the collar 17 is pulled in the direction of arrow 31 shown in FIGURE 4. The spring 26 will yield only when pushed back by abutment of jaws 23 by a coupling 15. The compressive action of spring 26 will insure restricted motion of couplings 15 in only a single direction relative to collar 17. Thus by successively pushing the couplings 15 and then passing the collar 17 about the successive coupling 15, one can progressively shove the couplings 15 and rods 14 through the pipes 11 and 12 as desired.

A second form of the device is illustrated in FIG- URES 8, 9 and 10. The basic configuration of the tool is identical to that previously described. This form includes a collar 33, an integral extension 34 and a handle 35. The collar 33 is provided with three equiangularly spaced bores 36. The bores 36 are formed from the left hand end as seen in FIGURE 8 and slope obliquely inward toward the central axis of collar 33. The inner end of each bore 36 is restricted due to the fact that the bores 36 terminate short of their full intersection with the interior collar surface. Again the exterior diameter of collar 33 is slightly less than the interior diameter of pipe 11, and the interior diameter of collar 33 is slightly greater than the maximum exterior diameter of couplings 15. The bores 36 are each provided with a single ball 38 which projects through the restricted end 37 of each bore 36 a distance less than the ball diameter. The balls 38 are biased inwardly relative to collar 33 by compression springs 40 within bores 36. The springs 40 abut suitable plugs 41 which may be threaded or otherwise fixed within the bores 36. Thus the balls 38 are positioned so that their minimum resultant diameter is less than the diameter of the couplings 15. Should a coupling be encountered by the collar 17, the collar will push the coupling to the left as illustrated in FIGURE 8 but will allow the collar 33 to move relative to coupling 15 if the handle 35 is being pulled to the right as seen in FIGURE 8. The balls 38 can move relative to springs 40 only when collar 33 is pulled to the right. The springs 40 will maintain the balls in their restricted positions during pushing of the couplings 15 within the pipe 11. The operation of the device is therefore basically identical to that previously described. One change is possible in the second embodiment and is illustrated in FIGURE 9 and FIGURE 10. This is the provision of a longitudinal slot 42 cut through the collar 33 throughout its length. The slot 42 is sufiiciently wide to admit a rod 14 intermediate the ends thereof. Thus with this tool one may slip the collar 33 over a rod 14 without disengaging a coupling 15. The collar 33 may therefore be used anywhere along the total length of the rods 14.

A third form of the invention is lilustrated in FIG- URES 11 and 12. Again the basic components are as described above and include a collar 43, an extension 44 and a handle 45. In order to allow one-way passage of the collar 43 relative to the coupling 15, a flap 46 is pivotally mounted on the extension 44 about a hinge 47. A suitable biasing spring 48 is provided between the flap 46 and the extension 44 and serves to bias the fiap 46 inwardly toward the central axis of collar 43. The spring 48 may be an independent member, as shown, or may be incorporated directly within the structure of hinge 47.

The operation of this third embodiment is again basical- [5 1y identical to that previously described. Movement of the collar 43 to the right as illustrated in FIGURE 11 will allow the flap 46 to be pushed outwardly as it passes over a coupling 15. Conversely, movement of the collar 43 to the left will cause the flap 46 to engage a coupling 15 and to push it along the pipe 11.

Briefly, this invention contemplates a collar adapted to fit within the confined limitations of the hollow pipe and adapted to pass a coupling 15 in only a single direction so as to allow pushing of successive couplings along the length of the pipe. Many equivalent mechanisms are available for accomplishing this one-way restriction. Therefore I do not intend that my invention should be limited by the above disclosures except as it is defined and set out in the claims which follow.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a manual tool adapted to incrementally push an enlarged cylindrical rod coupling having flexible rod members connected to each end thereof and extending longitudinally therefrom, the coupling and rod members being slidably encased within a supporting pipe having an interior diameter greater than the maximum exterior diameter of the coupling:

a rigid pushing element including a cylindrical collar having an exterior diameter slightly less than the interior pipe diameter and a minimum interior diameter slightly greater than the maximum exterior diameter of the coupling, and an extension rigidly secured to one end of said collar in longitudinal alignment therewith;

and inwardly biased radially movable jaw means slidably mounted on said pushing element operatively engageable with a coupling encircled by said collar adapted to prevent motion of said collar relative to the encircled coupling in one longitudinal direction along the pipe, said jaw means being axially hollow and having a maximum interior diameter at one end of said jaw means greater than the maximum exterior diameter of the coupling.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said collar is formed with an interior shoulder having one side slanted angularly toward the central longitudinal axis of said collar, and wherein said jaw means comprises:

a plurality of segmented jaws slidably mounted within said collar in contact wtih said one side of said shoulder, the jaws being provided with an inwardly directed surface having a minimum diameter which is less than the maximum exterior diameter of the coup and yieldable spring means mounted on said collar abutting said collar and the ends of said jaws having maximum interior diameter and biasing said jaws in a direction toward said one side of said shoulder, said spring means being adapted to normally maintain the inwardly directed surfaces of said jaws at a minimum radius from the longitudinal central axis of said collar and being adapted to incrementally allow a coupling to pass through said collar when said spring is compressed as the tool is drawn along the rod members in a direction opposite to that in which the rod couplings are being pushed.

3. A manual tool for incrementally pushing enlarged cylindrical rod couplings through a pipe, comprising:

a cylindrical collar having an exterior diameter less than the interior pipe diameter and having an interior diameter greater than the exterior coupling diameter, said collar including a sloped annular surface formed about its interior wall;

extension means fixed to said collar at one side thereof and extending longitudinally therefrom, said extension means being located at the end of said collar toward which said sloped annular surface projects inwardly;

a plurality of axially hollow segmented arcuate jaws slidably mounted within said collar, said jaws having inwardly directed ends in contact With said sloped 5 6 annular surface, the interior diameter of the inwardly allow a coupling to incrementally pass through said directed ends of said jaws when abutting one another collar when said spring means is compressed as the along their full lengths being less than the exterior tool is drawn along the rod members in a direction opcollar diameter; posite to that in which the rod couplings are being and compression spring means mounted coaxially adja- 5 pushed.

cent the interior wall of said collar and abutting both said collar and the ends of said jaws opposite to the References Clted m the file of thls patent inwardly directed ends to thereby normally urge said UNITED STATES PATENTS jaws toward said extension means, the interior di- 637,739 Matchett Nov. 21, 1899 ameter of said jaws adjacent said compression spring 10 1,264,993 Strohacker et a1 May 7, 1918 means being of greater diameter than the maximum 1,523,175 Cross et a1 I an. 13, 1925 exterior diameter of a coupling whereby the tool will 3,081,976 Carlson et a1 Mar. 19, 1962 

1. IN A MANUAL TOOL ADAPTED TO INCREMENTALLY PUSH AN ENLARGED CYLINDRICAL ROD COUPLING HAVING FLEXIBLE ROD MEMBERS CONNECTED TO EACH END THEREOF AND EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREFROM, THE COUPLING AND ROD MEMBERS BEING SLIDABLY ENCASED WITHIN A SUPPORTING PIPE HAVING AN INTERIOR DIAMETER GREATER THAN THE MAXIMUM EXTERIOR DIAMETER OF THE COUPLING: A RIGID PUSHING ELEMENT INCLUDING A CYLINDRICAL COLLAR HAVING AN EXTERIOR DIAMETER SLIGHTLY LESS THAN THE INTERIOR PIPE DIAMETER AND A MINIMUM INTERIOR DIAMETER SLIGHTLY GREATER THAN THE MAXIMUM EXTERIOR DIAMETER OF THE COUPLING, AND AN EXTENSION RIGIDLY SECURED TO ONE END OF SAID COLLAR IN LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT THEREWITH; AND INWARDLY BIASED RADIALLY MOVABLE JAW MEANS SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON SAID PUSHING ELEMENT OPERATIVELY ENGAGEABLE WITH A COUPLING ENCIRCLED BY SAID COLLAR ADAPTED TO PREVENT MOTION OF SAID COLLAR RELATIVE TO THE ENCIRCLED COUPLING IN ONE LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION ALONG THE PIPE, SAID JAW MEANS BEING AXIALLY HOLLOW AND HAVING A MAXIMUM INTERIOR DIAMETER AT ONE END OF SAID JAW MEANS GREATER THAN THE MAXIMUM EXTERIOR DIAMETER OF THE COUPLING. 